Vets senior to hold blood drive Sunday

For her senior project, Warwick Veterans Memorial High School student, Savanaugh Casey, 17, is honoring the memory of her grandmother with a blood drive on Sunday.

Savanaugh’s grandmother, Joyce Casey, passed away a year ago from cervical cancer and frequently needed blood transfusions. After seeing the great need for blood, she thought she’d learn more about it.

“I figured this would be a good way to spread awareness and let people know how important it is to donate blood,” she said. “You can save lives.”

While she’s never donated blood and has a fear of needles, Savanaugh said she hopes to make a blood donation on Sunday.

“Hopefully, it works out and I can,” she said.

After graduation, Savanaugh said she plans to attend law school. Her dream college is Roger Williams University.

“I had a volleyball competition there and saw the campus,” she said. “I really like what it has to offer.”

Rhode Island Blood Center will be at the event, which will take place at Shield’s Post at 662 West Shore Road, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shield’s Post is offering a free breakfast to anyone who makes a donation.